Learn the Importance of Dental and Oral Health in a Fun Way with an Educational DVD!
The 78th Oral Health Event of Tooth Brushing for Children

With the support of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the 78th Oral Health Event of Tooth Brushing for Children Event was held during Dental/Oral Health Week (June 4th to 10th) by Lion Corporation; the Lion Foundation for Dental Health (LDH); the Japan School Dentists Association; and the Tokyo Metropolitan School Health Association. As in 2020, this year's event was held remotely, providing an opportunity for elementary school students both in Japan and overseas to learn the importance of dental and oral health in a fun way through educational DVDs provided to elementary schools as well as hands-on practice at home guided by online videos.
Program content will be available until March 31, 2022 for participating schools to implement in accordance with their event schedules.

■Oral Health Event of Tooth Brushing for Children

The Oral Health Event of Tooth Brushing for Children, started in 1932, is held every year for elementary school students during Dental/Oral Health Week (June 4th to 10th).
For the 78th event in 2021, participating schools chose a date to participate and took part by watching a 40-minute educational DVD. The event is open to elementary schools both in Japan and overseas.
The event focuses on making elementary school students aware of the importance of dental and oral health, and provides an opportunity for them to learn the importance of dental and oral health in a fun way through practical exercises.

■Learning the Importance of Developing Consistent Oral Care Habits

To ensure lifelong dental health, it is important to establish proper oral care habits from childhood. The theme of the 2021 event was “Brush Up Your Teeth and Yourself.” Prepared with editorial supervision from Meikai University President Toshikazu Yasui, the program focused on the importance of healthy gums and self-care methods. In addition to promoting understanding of preventive dentistry, the program teaches students about the importance of consistency through forming oral care habits. By viewing the DVD content via the event website, participating children can review what they learned and practice at home, and by watching it together, the whole family can use it to improve their dental, oral and physical health. In addition, we have provided content that can be used both during the event and throughout the year, such as the “Pledge Card for the Future,” which participants use to record what they intend to do every day to realize their dreams and goals as well as to improve their tooth brushing habits, and a letter for parents and guardians to help their children form better tooth brushing habits at home. This content supports elementary school students in establishing beneficial living habits.
We will continue to hold the Oral Health Event of Tooth Brushing for Children to support health education aimed at nurturing the dental and oral health of elementary school students in Japan and overseas.

＜Reference Information＞

◆ Outline of the 78th Oral Health Event of Tooth Brushing for Children

・Event Period

Tuesday, June 1, 2021 – Thursday, June 10, 2021^*1
*1 Participating schools may implement the program until Thursday, March 31, 2022, in accordance with their event schedules.

・Program Theme

“Brush Up Your Teeth and Yourself”
Editorial Supervision: Dr. Toshikazu Yasui, President of Meikai University

Program Content:
• Let’s think about gums
• What is the white sticky stuff on the surface of my teeth?
• Where in the mouth does a toothbrush not clean well?
• Basics of tooth brushing and how to brush for your tooth alignment
• How to use dental floss
• How to keep our gums healthy as we grow up
• Filling out a Pledge Card for the Future^*2
  *2 A card for students to write down their goals for the future and what they will do consistently to achieve them.
  Schools are free to use these cards in various ways, such as posting themed in classrooms.

Educational Materials for Children

・Event Implementation:
(1) DVDs with the video content of the event are distributed so participating schools can watch and participate.
(2) The video content of the event is available online for review at home, and participants can practice brushing and flossing.
(3) The event website also provides fun review materials (crossword puzzles, etc.) and information that parents and guardians can utilize to help their children continue their tooth brushing habits.

・Special Content for School Health Instructors:
We provide lessons plans in accordance with the new curriculum guidelines recently implemented in Japan that present key teaching points in an easy-to-understand manner.
In addition, we will inform participating schools about content they can use to promote dental health throughout the year, even after the event, namely, “Hamiga-Kids (toothbrushing kids)”, a website that provides information for school health instructors, and the “Kid's hackathon” health education program.

Video of the DVD materials is available online at the link below.
https://www.lion-dent-health.or.jp/ldhevent/index.htm (Japanese)
(Available from 10:00, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 to 24:00, Thursday, March 31, 2022)

Organizers: Japanese Society of School Dentists, Tokyo Metropolitan Society of School Health, Lion Corporation, Lion Foundation for Dental Health (LDH)
Supporters: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education, Japan Society of School Health, Japan Dental Association, Tokyo Dental Association, Tokyo Association of School Dentists, Corporation of Japan Dental Hygienist Association